Rep. Jason Gearhart

Maddy summaryHF 2064 sets a $5 fee (plus processing fees) for lifetime fur harvester licenses in Iowa, specifically for residents who served on active duty in the U.S. military and were disabled during service. It requires the Department of Natural Resources to verify applicants' veteran disability status with the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill also mandates refunds for existing license holders who paid more than $7 total, returning the excess amount within 30 days of the bill's enactment. This affects disabled veteran residents seeking lifetime fur harvesting privileges, adjusting both new fees and correcting past overpayments.

Maddy summaryHF 2057 establishes a permanent annual funding stream for pediatric cancer research at the University of Iowa hospitals and clinics. It appropriates $1 per Iowa resident (based on U.S. Census population estimates), capped at $3 million yearly, from the state general fund. The funds must be used exclusively for pediatric cancer research - including lab work and clinical trials - prohibiting administrative costs or unrelated activities. The state board of regents must submit an annual report detailing how the funds were spent to the governor and legislature. This bill directly affects Iowa residents (through funding) and the University of Iowa's pediatric cancer research programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new criminal offense for approaching or staying within 25 feet of first responders after they have issued a verbal warning not to approach. It directly affects individuals who might interfere with law enforcement officers, probation or parole officers, firefighters, or emergency medical providers performing their duties. The law prohibits approaching within the specified distance with the intent to impede the responder's work, threaten them with physical harm, or harass them. Violating this provision is classified as a serious misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine between $430 and $2,560. The bill defines harassment as conduct that intentionally causes substantial emotional distress without a legitimate purpose.

Maddy summaryHF 2209 requires Iowa State University's College of Veterinary Medicine to admit at least 80% of students who are Iowa residents or attended eligible Iowa colleges. It prioritizes applicants planning to work in Iowa rural communities (under 25,000 people) and specialize in mixed-animal veterinary care. Applicants must disclose their Iowa background and career intentions in their applications. The university must submit annual reports to the legislature detailing admission statistics and reasons for rejections.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 109) formally honors the Jordan House Museum in West Des Moines, Iowa, for its 180+ years of historical service. It recognizes the museum's significance as a preserved 1850 Victorian home, an Underground Railroad site led by abolitionist James C. Jordan, and a center for educating the public about African American, Indigenous, and early Iowa history. The resolution directs copies to be sent to Iowa's congressional delegation, local historical societies, and national institutions like the Smithsonian museums. It is purely ceremonial with no policy changes or direct impact on constituents.

Maddy summaryIowa's HF 2020 updates hunter education requirements for people born after January 1, 1972, who need hunting licenses. It allows individuals to complete approved online courses instead of requiring in-person field days, though optional in-person sessions may still be offered. The bill also expands acceptable certifications to include those from the National Rifle Association and other nationally recognized organizations, in addition to courses from other states or countries meeting specific standards. These changes simplify access to hunter education while maintaining safety training requirements.

Maddy summaryHF 2692 clarifies that the seals and signatures required for professional work by licensed architects, landscape architects, and registered interior designers are confidential records under Iowa law. However, it explicitly states that the plans or specifications bearing these seals or signatures are **not** considered confidential unless other law specifies otherwise. This change affects how public records requests apply to technical submissions from these licensed professionals. The bill makes a specific administrative adjustment to existing public records rules without altering the public access status of the underlying plans.

Maddy summaryHF 2117 establishes a pilot program to expand Iowa's groundwater monitoring network by retrofitting up to 100 existing private wells owned by businesses or other entities with modern monitoring equipment. The program, funded with $100,000 appropriated for fiscal year 2026-2027, requires voluntary participation from well owners and covers all installation and equipment costs. It mandates that retrofitted wells meet specific safety standards, transmit data securely to the Iowa Geological Survey, and prioritize diverse aquifer representation. The program requires a 2028 report on results and expires July 1, 2029.

Maddy summaryHF 2129 establishes a pilot program allowing eligible inmates in Iowa to train as certified water and wastewater operators through classroom instruction, on-the-job training, and supervised work release placements. It directly affects inmates serving nonviolent sentences within 24 months of release who meet behavioral and qualification criteria, aiming to address statewide operator shortages while providing post-release employment pathways. The program requires collaboration between corrections, natural resources, workforce development, and local utilities, with $500,000 appropriated for implementation in fiscal year 2026-2027. Annual reports on participation, certification rates, employment, and recidivism must be submitted to the legislature, and the program expires January 16, 2029.

Maddy summaryHF 621 modifies Iowa's rules about firearms on school property. It allows school districts to authorize personnel to carry weapons in school vehicles transporting students, and permits individuals with valid concealed carry permits to keep concealed handguns in locked vehicles while parked in school driveways or parking areas during drop-offs, pick-ups, or deliveries. Retired peace officers who maintain certification and completed recent firearm safety training may also carry weapons on school grounds. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment, creating specific exceptions to existing prohibitions on firearms in school vehicles and on school property.